Gifts Today magazine

Bira and SDEA members mulling over Brexit

Undecideds hold the key, according to the British independent Retailer’s Association

Small shop owners are more inclined to vote to remain in the EU rather than to leave in the referendum on June 23 but a critical number have yet to make up their minds.

A ballot of members at the British Independent Retailers’ Association High Street Conference included an ‘undecided’ option – which won’t be available on the day – and their final figures saw 50 per cent choose to remain, 41 per cent want to leave and nine per cent have yet to decide.

Michael Weedon, BIRA deputy CEO, said the results are close to latest polls, showing that the Don’t Knows will make the decision – and make predicting what’s going to happen really difficult.

Meanwhile more than three-quarters of Shop & Display Equipment Association members feel that staying in the EU would be best for their businesses, according to a survey.

The SDEA asked members what result would be in the best interests of their organisation with regard to the upcoming referendum, and among respondents the answer was decisive – 80 per cent voted in favour of remaining with only 12 per cent wanting to leave and eight per cent undecided.

SDEA Director Lawrence Cutler said: “This was an overwhelming result in favour of remaining in the EU. The comments received from our members clearly indicate the significant amount of business they conduct with companies in the EU, both importing and exporting.

“Our members clearly value these partnerships and the business they bring and that voting to stay in will secure those good trading relationships for the future.”